Mar-Train Yamaha Racing’s Jack Kennedy says the team will “regroup and reset” after enduring a hugely frustrating weekend at Oulton Park.

The Lisburn-based outfit posted three DNFs for the first time this season, with Kennedy crashing twice and a brake issue contributing to a premature end to race three.

The triple blow has seen Kennedy drop out of the top 10 in the overall Bennents British Superbike standings, but with two rounds remaining he is determined to get back among the points and finish the year on a positive note.

Jack Kennedy
“It was a massively frustrating weekend.”

“Everything went quite well in qualifying. We made a massive step forward and we went as quick as we have ever done at Oulton Park.

“It put us 12th on the grid, which wasn’t amazing, but it was a decent time all the same. I got a great start in race one and moved up to eighth place and was feeling quite comfortable.

“I was ready to press on but unfortunately I lost the front at Hislop’s Chicane. I maybe asked a little too much and just lost the front end which was very frustrating.

“In race two I had another good start and was challenging in the top 10, but unfortunately, I had the same type of crash again.

“It was frustrating trying to understand why it kept happening, losing the front end. It was very annoying, and not like me at all, especially when it is two similar crashes in successive races.

“We sat down and looked at the data, so it didn’t happen to me or the bike in race three, but we had quite a lot of damage to the bike after race two. and the boys had a lot of work to do to repair the bike, so fair play to them.

“Unfortunately, we had some front brake inconsistencies in race three, and I had to run on straight at the chicane to avoid hitting someone. And I ended up having to bring the bike back in.”

Kennedy said drawing a blank at Oulton was one of the “most difficult” weekends of the year, after consistently banking points in every other round this season.

Jack Kennedy
“It is definitely one of the most difficult and disappointing weekends we have had this season. It is the first time I have ever come away from a round with no points.

“I pride myself on being consistent and bringing points home, so it is really hard to take. But this is racing and sometimes these things happen.

“We just have to go away and reset and come back stronger for Donington Park in two weeks’ time.”

Meanwhile, Mar-Train Yamaha Racing team boss Tim Martin said the focus would quickly turn to Donington Park after a hugely frustrating weekend. The 10th and penultimate round of the BSB championship takes place from September 29 to October 1.

Tim Martin
“It is the first time we have had three DNFs over the same weekend this season, so that is a massive frustration and disappointment,” he said.

“We just have to take it on the chin and put it behind us. We have two rounds left and we now turn our focus to Donington Park in two weeks.”

Featured Images: Olithephoto.